Ohio Gov. John Kasich's job approval rating has reached an all-time high as voters credit him with improving the economy, a new poll has found.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted June 18-23, the first-term Republican governor's job-approval rating stands at 54 percent compared to 32 percent who disapprove, significantly stretching his lead over possible Democratic challengers in the 2014 governor's race.
Kasich leads Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald, 47 percent to 33 percent; and Richard Cordray , U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director, 47 percent to 36 percent.
Of the 941 Ohio registered voters surveyed, 44 percent said the economy is getting better and 91 percent give Kasich at least a little credit for the its improvement, compared to just 63 percent who credit the Obama administration.
Overall, 52 percent of respondents approve of the way asich is handling the economy compared to 37 percent who disapprove. And 49 percent say Kasich deserves to be re-elected.
"Ohio Gov. John Kasich's turnaround continues as he builds his re-election campaign. The number of people who think he is doing a good job continues to climb incrementally and his favorable/unfavorable ratio among voters is impressive," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"The only bright spot for Democrats in these numbers is that Kasich remains just below the magic 50 percent threshold when voters are asked if he deserves a second term in the governor's chair. But he is awfully close," Brown said.
He added, "Ohio voters think their economy is getting better and they credit Mr. Kasich more than they credit President Barack Obama for that brightening economic environment. Of course, there are still 16 months until Election Day, so anything can happen."
Just 16 months ago, Kasich's job approval was a negative 40-46 percent, according to Quinnipiac, and at one point his approval was even lower, hanging in the 30 percent range.
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